Ketchup restricted at Aberdeen schools

April 30, 2008|By Russ Keen, rkeen@aberdeennews.com

To the displeasure of some students, ketchup is not available every day in lunch lines at Aberdeen public schools. That's because ketchup contains salt, and the Food Service Department is trying to cut back on salt in the meals it serves, said Susan Nash, food service director. The state recently conducted a review of her department, which happens every five years. The state's nutrient analysis shows the district has made significant improvement in reducing amounts of sodium available to students, Nash told the school board this week. Even so, there are requests that ketchup be available every day, she said. It's important to realize that the review is based on what foods are provided to students, not what they actually eat, Nash said. The only way the latter could be quantified would be to record what's left on each student's tray when he or she is finished eating, and that would be cost prohibitive, she said. The district should continue efforts to provide more iron, fiber and vitamin A in its lunches, according to the report. To that end, Nash's department will start providing low-calorie dips for fresh fruits and vegetables to encourage students to eat more of them, she said. The state reviews do not require districts to take corrective actions, but they do offer suggestions for improvement, Nash said. Overall, the review gives the district satisfactory ratings, she said. Also this week, the school board approved the following on 6-0 votes with Duane Alm, Linda Burdette, Mike Miller, Brad Olson, Brian Sharp and Scott Wirth voting yes. Bob Nikolas was absent.

A resolution hiring the Sioux Falls architectural firm of Koch Hazard to provide services for the addition to May Overby Elementary School.

Transfer of about $120,000 in scholarship trust funds from the district to the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation because the district is limited by law in the kinds of investments it can make while the foundation is not subject to these limitations. The hope is that the trust funds can earn higher returns under the foundation. Only earnings can be used for scholarships.

First reading of a policy governing open gym for the district's gyms.

All for the 2008-09 school year appointed: Heather Rowen as head sideline cheer coach, Candice Miedema as head competition cheer coach and Michael Schmitz as assistant middle school wrestling coach; increased Lucky Peterson's contract time from .84-time now to full-time, Christina Page's contract time from 0.8-time now to full-time, Cerissa Brown's contract time from 0.6-time now to 0.83-time, Melissa Nguyen's contract time from 0.67-time now to 0.84-time, and approved a contract with Amber Welke as full-time language arts teacher at Central High School and assistant ninth-grade volleyball coach.

Public school exemption certificate for one student.

Open enrollment applications for five students.

Donation of items with a total value of $4,552 from Simmons Elementary School PTA. The board also:

Recognized students from Lincoln and Simmons elementary schools who will compete at Global Destination Imagination in Tennessee.

Heard a report of happenings at O.M. Tiffany Elementary School. School Board